Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs

Today kicks off the 9th Annual National Apprenticeship Week which runs through Friday, Nov. 19!

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration where employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers and government leaders unite to raise awareness of the vital role of Registered Apprenticeship.

We have given this year’s National Apprenticeship Week the theme “Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs” to recognize Registered Apprenticeship’s importance as a proven, industry-driven career pathway leading to good, quality jobs and financially rewarding careers in diverse industry sectors.

Registered Apprenticeship is a key strategy in meeting our nation’s workforce needs in key industries such as education, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, clean energy, cybersecurity, and other high-needs sectors, such as those emerging through the administration’s historic federal investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act.  

Registered Apprenticeship is also a model that fast tracks a person’s journey into good-paying jobs and can improve diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the workplace. Throughout this week, we will showcase the success and value of Registered Apprenticeship by focusing on a range of daily themes, including:

• Monday: Registered Apprenticeship for Youth
• Tuesday: Registered Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries
• Wednesday: Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to Underserved Populations
• Thursday: Women in Registered Apprenticeship
• Friday: Registered Apprenticeship for Veterans and Federal Employees

Earlier today, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su joined senior leaders from the federal government and industry along with apprentices and recent apprenticeship graduates to announce the selection of the initial cohort of 57 youth apprentices and recent graduates chosen to serve as Apprentice Trailblazers.

As Apprentice Trailblazers, these dynamic young people will share their perspectives, highlight how Registered Apprenticeships increase opportunities for underserved populations, and bring awareness to other career seekers who may be interested in becoming apprentices.

We also announced the first annual Youth Apprenticeship Week, May 5-11, 2024, which will highlight the benefits and value of Registered Apprenticeship programs for people ages 16-24. Keep an eye on our website for updates on this initiative!

Throughout this week, events will spotlight ways that historically underrepresented and underserved populations, such as women, people of color, people with a disability, and young adults, can unleash their potential through pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship. 

We invite you to join us at one of the hundreds of events happening across the country during National Apprenticeship Week. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the hosts of these events and the partners who’ve shown their support by signing numerous proclamations in favor of Registered Apprenticeship and its power to change lives.

And here’s a friendly reminder: Stay connected with us on social media by following @USDOL and using the hashtags #NAW2023 and #ApprenticeshipUSA. We’ll be sharing exciting updates and insights throughout the week.

Manny Lamarre is a senior policy advisor and John Ladd is the administrator for the Office of Apprenticeship for the department’s Employment and Training Administration.